Canada dairy farmers say Europe trade deal payout falls short

By Rod Nickel

3 Min Read

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - The Canadian government said on Thursday that it would spend C$350 million ($259.88 million) to help its dairy sector compete against increased European imports allowed under a free trade deal, but the amount falls short of farmers' expectations.

The money includes C$250 million over five years to help farmers update equipment, and C$100 million over four years to help dairy processors modernize operations, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay said in a statement.

Dairy Farmers of Canada, an influential lobby group, said the money only partially addresses "damage" that Canada's free trade deal with the European Union will inflict.

Under the deal, European dairies would receive tariff-free access for an additional 17,700 tonnes of cheese, representing 2 percent of Canadian milk production, according to Dairy Farmers of Canada.

The previous Conservative government had promised C$4.3 billion over 15 years to compensate dairy, poultry and egg farmers, but that pledge dissolved with their election loss last year.

The Liberal government designed the payout after consulting the dairy industry, and it will place the processing sector "on the cutting edge," MacAulay told reporters.

"We certainly do feel it's enough," he said.

The European Union and Canada signed the free trade agreement last month, but it must still clear some 40 national and regional parliaments in Europe in coming years to enter fully into force.

Funds for the dairy sector could help processors such as Agropur, Saputo Inc and Parmalat SpA's Canadian unit upgrade plants. Processors are already boosting domestic production of milk proteins for cheese production at the expense of imports, but some need to overhaul their plants.

Dairy farmers and processors struck an agreement in July that allows Canadian processors to buy milk ingredients from farmers at the lowest of international prices. Industry groups in the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Europe say it undercuts their exports and violates World Trade Organization competition rules.

MacAulay said his government had no role in the July agreement.

"Anything that can help the (Canadian) dairy sector, we support," he said.